The Perfect Pour: A Beginner's Guide to French Press Coffee

Why French Press?

The French press is the unsung hero of coffee brewing. No paper filters to absorb oils, no electricity needed, and the result is a rich, full-bodied cup that pour-over purists secretly envy.

What You'll Need

• Coarse ground coffee — think sea salt, not sand

• Hot water — 93°C (just off the boil)

• A French press — any size works

• A timer — 4 minutes, no more

The Method

1. Ratio: Use 1g of coffee per 15ml of water (e.g., 30g coffee for 450ml water)

2. Bloom: Add a splash of water, wait 30 seconds. Watch the grounds puff up — that's CO₂ escaping.

3. Pour: Add the remaining water. Don't stir.

4. Wait: Set your timer for 4 minutes. Walk away. Resist the urge.

5. Plunge: Press the plunger down slowly and steadily. If it's hard to push, your grind is too fine.

6. Serve immediately. Don't leave it in the press — it'll keep extracting and turn bitter.

Pro Tips

Pre-heat your press with hot water before brewing. Cold glass drops the temperature and under-extracts your coffee.

Don't press all the way down. Stop just above the coffee bed to avoid pushing sediment into your cup.

Buy whole beans and grind fresh. Pre-ground coffee loses flavour within days of opening.

That's it. Four minutes to a better cup. No gadgets, no apps, no subscriptions required.